Tech Tip: Understanding the Difference Between Update and Create in Rest Using
PRODUCT: 4D | VERSION: 20 R | PLATFORM: Mac & Win
Published On: October 20, 2025
In REST, the $method=update parameter allows you to update existing entities or create new ones using a single POST request.
This flexibility simplifies data management and reduces the need for separate endpoints for each operation.
If both __KEY and __STAMP are provided, 4D updates the existing entity with the new values you send. If these attributes are missing, 4D creates a new entity using the data in the request body.
For example, sending a POST to /rest/Company/?$method=update with __KEY and __STAMP will modify the specified entity
When sent without these values, a new entity is created.
A new key was assigned to the entity.
This flexibility simplifies data management and reduces the need for separate endpoints for each operation.
If both __KEY and __STAMP are provided, 4D updates the existing entity with the new values you send. If these attributes are missing, 4D creates a new entity using the data in the request body.
For example, sending a POST to /rest/Company/?$method=update with __KEY and __STAMP will modify the specified entity
When sent without these values, a new entity is created.
A new key was assigned to the entity.